Benefit rates at 1 April 2023

Benefit and payment rates from 1 April 2023.

Information

On 1 April 2023, benefit and payments will be increasing due to the Annual General Adjustment. There will also be an extra increase to main benefits. Find out more about the Annual General Adjustment.

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4

Jobseeker Support: without children
Single, 18 to 19 years, at home $250.63 $280.95 Note 1 $84 Note 2 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 18 to 19 years, away from home $294.18 $333.74 Note 1 $84 $101 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 20 to 24 years $294.18 $333.74 Note 1 $84 $101 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 25 years or over $337.74 $386.54 $152.34 $84 $101 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $574.70 $650.92 $285.84 $144 $172 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $287.35 $325.46              

Jobseeker Support: with children
Sole parent $472.79 $550.24 Note 3 $152 $183 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $606.86 $689.90 Note 3 $186 $223 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $303.43 $344.95              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $303.43 $344.95 Note 3 $186 $223 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 partner on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and 1 or more children (total) $303.43 $344.95 Note 3 $206 $247 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 2: The mortgage rate isn't relevant as these clients are living at home or away from home, and supported by their parents.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
Solo parent, 16 to 17 years, living with or supported by parents who earn less than the Family Tax Credit threshold $272.74 $307.75 Note 1 $102 Note 2 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Solo parent, 16 to 19 years $472.79 $550.24 Note 1 $152 $183 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $606.86 $689.90 Note 1 $186 $223 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $303.43 $344.95              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $303.43 $344.95 Note 1 $186 $223 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 2: The mortgage rate isn't relevant as these clients are living at home or away from home, and supported by their parents.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
Single, 16 to 17 years $294.18 $333.74 Note 1 $84 $101 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $574.70 $650.92 Note 1 $144 $172 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $287.35 $325.46              

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Granted before 15/7/2013

Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
$348.59 $399.69 $161.03 $87 $105 $165 $105 $80 $70

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4
$472.79 $550.24 Note 3 $152 $183 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at "M") Gross weekly rate Special Benefit standard costs Accommodation Supplement*
Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4

Supported Living Payment: without children
Single, 16 to 17 years $322.61 $368.20 Note 1 $96 $115 $165 $105 $80 $70
Single, 18 years or over $384.92 $443.73

$206.68

 $96 $115 $165 $105 $80 $70
Couple (total) $654.04 $747.08 $377.05 $164 $196 $235 $155 $105 $80
Couple (each) $327.02 $373.54              

Supported Living Payment: with children
Sole parent $527.58 $616.65 Note 3 $166 $199 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4 Note 4
Couple with 1 or more children (total) $686.20 $786.08 Note 3 $206 $247 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 or more children (each) $343.10 $393.04              
Couple with 1 partner not on benefit and 1 or more children (total) $356.23 $408.95 Note 3 $206 $247 $305 $220 $160 $120
Couple with 1 partner on NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and 1 or more children (total) $356.23 $408.95 Note 3 $219 $262 $305 $220 $160 $120

* Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for non‑beneficiaries are the same as those for Jobseeker Support. Those for 16 to 17 year old non-beneficiaries are the same as those for 18 to 19 year old non-beneficiaries.

Note 1: Special Benefit isn't available for these clients.

Note 3: Special Benefit standard costs for these clients are equal to 70% of the unabated main benefit and unabated family tax credit combined.

Note 4: Accommodation Supplement maximum rates for these clients are:

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4  
$235 $155 $105 $80 1 child
$305 $220 $160 $120 2 or more children

Benefit type Weekly rate, non-taxable
Standard Disability Allowance - maximum $75.10
Special Disability Allowance $46.84
Child Disability Allowance $56.60

Child or young person's age Weekly rate, non-taxable
Aged under 5 years $273.36
Aged 5 to 9 years $275.25
Aged 10 to 13 years $296.59
Aged 14 years or over $317.82

Category Weekly rate, non-taxable
Aged 0-4 years $273.36
Aged 5-9 years $275.25
Aged 10-13 years $296.59
Aged 14 years and over $317.82
Family home $301

Category Rate per child
First or only child $136.94
Second or subsequent child $111.58

Pension type Net weekly rate
(after tax at 'M')		 Net weekly rate
(after tax at 'S')		 Gross weekly rate
NZ Super or Veteran's Pension – standard rates
Single      
Single, living alone $496.37 $477.52 $578.67
Single, sharing $458.18 $439.33 $532.43
Couples      
Only one of you qualifies $381.82 $362.97 $439.79
Both you and your partner qualify (combined) $763.64 $725.94 $879.58
Both you and your partner qualify (each) $381.82 $362.97 $439.79
Only one of you qualifies and you include your partner in your payments (combined) – grandparented since November 2020 $725.84 $688.14 $834.08
Only one of you qualifies and you include your partner in your payments (each) – grandparented since November 2020 $362.92 $344.07 $417.04
NZ Super or Veteran's Pension – non-standard rates
Couple, with non-qualified spouse included before 1 October 1991 (total) $763.64 $725.94 $879.58
Couple, with non-qualified spouse included before 1 October 1991 (each) $381.82 $362.97 $439.79
Hospital rate $52.89 Note 1 $59.09
Non-taxable amounts
Veteran's lump sum payment on death $7,085.77
Veteran's spouse's lump sum payment on death $5,403.11

Note 1: The hospital rate is always taxed at the 'M' rate.

You can find more information about the NZ Super and Veteran's Pension rates here.

For more information about war pensions and allowances, please phone Veterans' Affairs New Zealand on 0800 483 8372 (0800 4 VETERAN)

Category Net weekly rate (after tax at 'M') Gross weekly rate for NZ Super or Veteran's Pension Gross weekly rate for other benefits
People receiving Residential Care Subsidy $52.89 $59.08 $59.09
People with Psychiatric or Intellectual Disabilities $77.08 $86.11 $86.12
People with Physical or Sensory Disabilities $125.24 $139.83 $139.93

Assistance Rate per hour
Maximum gross rate - excluding holiday pay $23.90
Maximum gross rate - including holiday pay (8%) $25.81

At 1 April 2023 for couples receiving half-married rates of different benefits:

Type of benefit combination Without children With children
Rent or board Mortgage Rent or board Mortgage
NZ Superannuation or Veteran's Pension
and Supported Living Payment		 $177 $213 $219 $262
NZ Superannuation or Veteran's Pension
and Jobseeker Support or non-beneficiary		 $167 $201 $206 $247
Supported Living Payment and Jobseeker Support or non-beneficiary $154 $184 $196 $235

Number of dependent children in your care Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR subsidy rates
Gross income per week
1 child Less than $1,009 $1,009 to $1,836.99 $1,837 to $1,989.99 $1,990 to $2,143.99 $2,144 or more
2 children Less than $1,160 $1,160 to $2,112.99 $2,113 to $2,280.99 $2,281 to $2,449.99 $2,450 or more
3 or more children Less than $1,299 $1,299 to $2,357.99 $2,358 to $2,556.99 $2,557 to 2,755.99 $2,756.00 or more
Rate that applies - see the chart below Rate 0 Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3 Nil

Below are the rates of Childcare Subsidy and OSCAR Subsidy that apply to the income thresholds listed above.

Assistance type Rate 0 Rate 1 Rate 2 Rate 3
Childcare Subsidy hourly rate, non-taxable $6.10 $4.86 $3.40 $1.90
Childcare Subsidy up to 50 hours per week, maximum, non‑taxable $305 $243 $170 $95
OSCAR Subsidy hourly rate, non-taxable $6.10 $4.86 $3.40 $1.90
OSCAR Subsidy during term time up to 20 hours per week, maximum, non-taxable $122 $97.20 $68 $38
OSCAR Subsidy during holidays up to 50 hours per week, maximum, non-taxable $305 $243 $170 $95

  Rate
Maximum hourly rate per child $9.09
Maximum weekly payment (20 hours) for each child aged 18 months to 36 months $181.80

Rate
For other than NZ Super, Veterans Pension, Orphans Benefit, or Unsupported Child Benefit $52.89 (net, weekly, after tax at "M")
$59.09 (gross, weekly)

Rate
Income and asset‑tested - maximum $2,445.37

Category Weekly income limits before tax
Single 16 to 17 years $631.50
Single 18+ years $786.69
Married, civil union or de facto couple (with or without children) $1,171.42
Sole parent 1 child $880.73
Sole parent 2+ children $927.94

Family size Gross annual cut-out point for NZ Super clients Gross annual cut-out point for other clients
Single, sharing accommodation $33,713 $31,705
Single, living alone $35,861 $33,646
Couple $53,821 $50,313
2-person family - 1 adult, 1 child $61,455 $61,455
3-person family $75,645 $75,645
4-person family $87,269 $87,269
5-person family $98,687 $98,687
6-person family $111,255 $111,255
For each additional family member add $11,277

Duration Rate, non-taxable
Weekly - maximum $129.71
Yearly - maximum $5,188.40

Category Net weekly allowance
(after tax at "M")		 Gross weekly allowance

Single student without dependent children
Under 24 years, at home - up to $257.53 $289.31
Under 24 years, away from home - up to $300.18 $341.01
Independent circumstances $300.18 $341.01
24 years or over, at home $291.64 $330.66
24 years or over, away from home $342.82 $392.70

Student with earning partner
Student with earning partner, at home, without children $179.42 $200.47
Student with earning partner, away from home, without children $224.66 $251.02
Student with earning partner, partner not receiving, at home, with children $209.86 $234.48
Student with earning partner, partner not receiving, away from home, with children $255.11 $286.38
Student with earning partner, partner receiving, at home, with children (each) $194.66 $217.50
Student with earning partner, partner receiving, away from home, with children (each) $239.88 $268.02

Couple without dependent children
One student, one dependent partner $600.33 $704.83
Both eligible students (each) $300.18 $341.01
Both students, one eligible $342.82 $392.70

Single student with dependent children
Single student with 1 or more children $483.83 $563.62

Couple with dependent children
Both students, one eligible, with 1 or more children $483.83 $563.62
Both students, both eligible, partner receiving, with 1 or more children (each) $315.40 $359.46
Both students, both eligible, partner not receiving, with 1 or more children $330.60 $377.88
One student, one dependent partner, with 1 or more children $630.78 $741.74

Weekly rate
Student Loan living cost component - maximum $302.32